You can read Part 1 of this article series through this link.
 
For young people, finding their life and career purpose is a wonderful journey of discovery but they need to be realistic, take the bad times with the good, and keep the big picture in mind. Here are some more tips on how to help your teen find their life purpose.
 
 
1. Learn to love the sh*t sandwiches
Most creative dreams require sacrifices. Some of the young people working on the set of Game of Thrones also have to work as baristas or waiting staff. They have to make sacrifices to build their creative careers. Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ talks about learning to love the “sh*t sandwiches in day jobs”. There are always tough days and hard aspects of work that have to be gone through when committing to longer-term career goals. It’s worth getting young people to think about why they’re doing what they’re doing. Suggest that they examine their motivations and recognise that every pursuit - irrespective of how glamorous it seems - requires doing tasks that are taxing or even mundane. In essence, there is no end to the hard stuff and the work required of success. Get them to ask themselves, ‘Is it worth it?’...‘How important is this to me?’
 
 
2. Look beyond yourself - it’s not all about you
Parents say that their teens can live in a bubble. For a good sense of self and wellbeing, it’s important to encourage young people to look outside their bubble for purpose. Get them to ask themselves, ‘What matters most to me?’  It’s useful for young people to examine what they care deeply about. Do they value money, family, the environment, invention, security, risk, health, fitness, service to others, making technological advancements? What is the world crying out for? Which cry would they like to respond to – global warming, the welfare of children, specialist energy saving engineering devices, medical advancements, person-centred care, job creation, providing excellent service, supporting the homeless, promoting the arts, making good music, ending world hunger, the delivery of hospitality, health and fitness?
 
 
3. Take action - go for a stretch
Getting out of your own way and getting out of your comfort zone is another key to finding your life purpose. Encourage young people to get involved in work experience, volunteering, work shadowing, internships, part-time jobs, committee involvement and joining clubs and societies. These are all vehicles of growth. Organisations such as Junior Chamber Ireland, Lions, Rotary and Toastmasters offer roles of responsibility and some training.
 
Encourage them to say ‘yes’ to things that stretch them and accelerate their growth. Encourage the value of feedback. Ask them to seek a mentor with experience in their career of choice or a master craftsperson in their field.  These people can give honest and good feedback on how they’re performing, and suggest areas for development and growth. Young people can learn by modelling the aspects of their mentor’s personality, skills and attitude that they admire. This will help them to up their game and move closer to living their life purpose.
 
 
Career success takes time and energy. It doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a process. Investment in this process will pay huge dividends in terms of work satisfaction, confidence, life meaning and pride. There are no shortcuts, no get rich quick plans or X Factor quick successes. But, once your teen is realistic and committed, it’s all theirs for the taking!
Career Coach and Guidance Counsellor
www.dearbhlakelly.com

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